Effects of Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid Levels on the Growth, Body Composition, and Health of Liver and Intestine in Juvenile Tiger Puffer (<i>Takifugu rubripes</i>)

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, plays a critical role in animal growth, inflammatory regulation, lipid metabolism, and neurological functions. However, the optimal dietary requirement of DHA for tiger puffer remains unknown. This study systematically investigated...

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Main Authors: Lu Zhang, Chenchen Bian, Ziling Song, Yang Liu, Jiahao Liu, Qiang Ma, Yuliang Wei, Mengqing Liang, Houguo Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/11/1514
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author Lu Zhang
Chenchen Bian
Ziling Song
Yang Liu
Jiahao Liu
Qiang Ma
Yuliang Wei
Mengqing Liang
Houguo Xu
author_facet Lu Zhang
Chenchen Bian
Ziling Song
Yang Liu
Jiahao Liu
Qiang Ma
Yuliang Wei
Mengqing Liang
Houguo Xu
author_sort Lu Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, plays a critical role in animal growth, inflammatory regulation, lipid metabolism, and neurological functions. However, the optimal dietary requirement of DHA for tiger puffer remains unknown. This study systematically investigated the effects of different dietary DHA levels on the growth performance, body composition, hematological parameters and tissue physiology of tiger puffer (average initial body weight 17.78 ± 1.92 g). Six experimental diets with graded DHA concentrations (0.09%, 0.57%, 1.35%, 1.61%, 2.28%, and 3.08% dry matter) were formulated. The feeding experiment was carried out in a seawater flow-through system for eight weeks, with each diet assigned to three replicate tanks. Based on the regression analysis of weight gain and specific growth rate, the maximum values were observed at the dietary DHA level of 1.75% and 1.88%, respectively. Appropriate DHA levels also significantly improved the muscle protein synthesis and lipid metabolism, and strengthened the intestinal morphology. Furthermore, a threshold for efficient DHA deposition in muscle was identified, beyond which excess DHA (3.08%) may be β-oxidized and therefore largely wasted. In conclusion, the optimal dietary DHA level for juvenile tiger puffer should be within the range of 1.75–1.88%.
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spelling doaj-art-beec6233378d4e6eb31bb16bf560e53f2025-08-20T03:10:50ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-05-011511151410.3390/ani15111514Effects of Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid Levels on the Growth, Body Composition, and Health of Liver and Intestine in Juvenile Tiger Puffer (<i>Takifugu rubripes</i>)Lu Zhang0Chenchen Bian1Ziling Song2Yang Liu3Jiahao Liu4Qiang Ma5Yuliang Wei6Mengqing Liang7Houguo Xu8College of Fisheries and Life Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Huchenghuan Road, Shanghai 201306, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 106 Nanjing Road, Qingdao 266071, ChinaCollege of Fisheries and Life Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Huchenghuan Road, Shanghai 201306, ChinaCollege of Fisheries and Life Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, 999 Huchenghuan Road, Shanghai 201306, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 106 Nanjing Road, Qingdao 266071, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 106 Nanjing Road, Qingdao 266071, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 106 Nanjing Road, Qingdao 266071, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 106 Nanjing Road, Qingdao 266071, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 106 Nanjing Road, Qingdao 266071, ChinaDocosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, plays a critical role in animal growth, inflammatory regulation, lipid metabolism, and neurological functions. However, the optimal dietary requirement of DHA for tiger puffer remains unknown. This study systematically investigated the effects of different dietary DHA levels on the growth performance, body composition, hematological parameters and tissue physiology of tiger puffer (average initial body weight 17.78 ± 1.92 g). Six experimental diets with graded DHA concentrations (0.09%, 0.57%, 1.35%, 1.61%, 2.28%, and 3.08% dry matter) were formulated. The feeding experiment was carried out in a seawater flow-through system for eight weeks, with each diet assigned to three replicate tanks. Based on the regression analysis of weight gain and specific growth rate, the maximum values were observed at the dietary DHA level of 1.75% and 1.88%, respectively. Appropriate DHA levels also significantly improved the muscle protein synthesis and lipid metabolism, and strengthened the intestinal morphology. Furthermore, a threshold for efficient DHA deposition in muscle was identified, beyond which excess DHA (3.08%) may be β-oxidized and therefore largely wasted. In conclusion, the optimal dietary DHA level for juvenile tiger puffer should be within the range of 1.75–1.88%.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/11/1514n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acidmarine fishnutrient requirementfatty acid depositionaquafeed
spellingShingle Lu Zhang
Chenchen Bian
Ziling Song
Yang Liu
Jiahao Liu
Qiang Ma
Yuliang Wei
Mengqing Liang
Houguo Xu
Effects of Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid Levels on the Growth, Body Composition, and Health of Liver and Intestine in Juvenile Tiger Puffer (<i>Takifugu rubripes</i>)
Animals
n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid
marine fish
nutrient requirement
fatty acid deposition
aquafeed
title Effects of Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid Levels on the Growth, Body Composition, and Health of Liver and Intestine in Juvenile Tiger Puffer (<i>Takifugu rubripes</i>)
title_full Effects of Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid Levels on the Growth, Body Composition, and Health of Liver and Intestine in Juvenile Tiger Puffer (<i>Takifugu rubripes</i>)
title_fullStr Effects of Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid Levels on the Growth, Body Composition, and Health of Liver and Intestine in Juvenile Tiger Puffer (<i>Takifugu rubripes</i>)
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid Levels on the Growth, Body Composition, and Health of Liver and Intestine in Juvenile Tiger Puffer (<i>Takifugu rubripes</i>)
title_short Effects of Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid Levels on the Growth, Body Composition, and Health of Liver and Intestine in Juvenile Tiger Puffer (<i>Takifugu rubripes</i>)
title_sort effects of dietary docosahexaenoic acid levels on the growth body composition and health of liver and intestine in juvenile tiger puffer i takifugu rubripes i
topic n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid
marine fish
nutrient requirement
fatty acid deposition
aquafeed
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/11/1514
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